Monday, January 13, 2014

Creator: Elaine Hussey

Mary Elaine Hussey

March or May 1874, New York – May 29, 1957, Kahangi, Uganda

“…Scant information exists on Hussey and no examples of her work are known. She was a member and participant in the first exhibition in 1898 of the Chicago Arts and Crafts Society…The catalogue for the inaugural exhibition of the National Arts Club in New York City states that Hussey contributed a cast and chased silver belt buckle and cast and chased silver garter clasps with and without jewels….”

The Hussey household was counted twice. On June 4 they resided in Center Township in Indianapolis, Indiana, at 30 West Drive. Hussey’s birth was recorded as March 1874. The following day their address was 205 North New Jersey, and Hussey’s birth was May 1874. In the census category of “Occupation, Trade or Profession”, it was blank for Hussey.Hussey put aside the arts and crafts when she married Alfred Stead in 1901.

“...Alfred Stead, a brilliant polyglot, ever inventive and colorful, characteristically fond of uniforms and medals, served in World War I. He married Mary Elaine Hussey, a wealthy socialite of Indiana, who is remembered in Uganda today as the Countess. Alfred Stead finished the war a colonel and was awarded the CMG in 1919. Who’s Who credits him with earning several additional medals, which were in the possession of his grandson Anthony R. Stead for some time. Alfred was taken ill while traveling and died in a hospital in Dresden in 1933. Honoring Alfred’s preference, the Countess sent his ashes to England....”

“Kahangi Estate is situated in the foot hills of the Ruwenzori Mountain range in Western Uganda near the District town of Fort Portal….After the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the subsequent collapse of coffee prices the Estate changed hands and became the property of Countess Stead, daughter-in-law to the notable British journalist, and peace activist W.T Stead.”